I am wanting your thoughts on best suited bar tape to suit the FSA SLK compact carbon handlebars on 100km rides on average road surfaces.

i have read about lisard skins, Fizik and the Specialised Roubix S-Wrap, and many other brands.

Longevity is a big criteria for me, as is vibration damping and ease of install - but not too heavy and takes away the advantage of a light bar.

i want something nice and grippy but does not feel like I am holding a soft 'nurf' ball.

i am wanting good wear life in high use areas, like where the hoods meet the tape.

i am wanting a tape that is long enough to suit the bars, and good finishing tape which does not stretch and become loose.

i am liking the Pro Digital Carbon Bar Tape (very similar to lizard skin with a rubberised texture but not as tacky, well padded like a cork/PU tape so absorbs road buzz well. Looks better on the bike too vs lizard skin which comes across as really plasticy.)

i am not wanting cork as it can damage easily and then unravel quickly and it absorbs water and feels like a wet sponge.

Can't remember the name because it's been so long but there's an AU maker that does an excellent leather tape. I've run it on my commuter for yonks now unchanged and it's only been recently that I've noticed it starting to thin out in the high wear areas, gel pads under the tape if you are that way inclined for some extra cush. Not the cheapest but the fit and longevity is so good you'll forget after a few years of loyal service.

...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.London Boy 29/12/2011

Pro silicone gel tape 20 bucks probably $2.50 from wiggle or crc.this gets fitted to all my bikes it's been on my training bike for about 18 months now & it gets to do 300-500 ks a week through all sorts of crappy weather & is still going strong.i work in a bike shop & fit this to everything that needs new tape it wraps well doesn't come loose & doesn't roll up on the edges.i kick it old school & wrap from the top down can't stand looking at electrical tape or cable ties on my bikes.dunno who ever decided having a nice looking bike with half a roll of sticky tape on each side was a good idea who re uses old bar tape anyway I've nearly spewed when unwrapping some old bar tape lizard skin wears out too quick & the other Pro tape is real thin & seems to roll up.hope my one eyed opinions help.

General technique is to wrap from the ends to the top. No cable-ties - wrap over the end or tuck into the bar-end and secure with the plug; and use the adhesive tape supplied to fasten it at the top. If you wrap from the top down it is very likely that you'll get the edges of the tape (along the bend near the hoods especially) rolling up under hand pressure over time. Looks really ugly.

If you have the time, for a really cool look try the harlequin wrap instead (just use cloth tape for this)

the cable ties are in reference to securing wiring & brackets for computers don't use those either never seen cable ties used for bar taping though.never have ugly edges on my tape maybe people just wrap it wrong.once upon a time taping from top to bottom was the right way good ole shiny cat eye tape sure miss those days.anyways each to their own style ill just keep rolling on the old school way.is their such a thing as heavy bar tape.

bmxbandito wrote:Pro silicone gel tape 20 bucks probably $2.50 from wiggle or crc.this gets fitted to all my bikes it's been on my training bike for about 18 months now & it gets to do 300-500 ks a week through all sorts of crappy weather & is still going strong.

Agree that the Lizard Skins wear too fast, although they seem to tick most of the other boxes. The last time I unwrapped cork bar tape, it smelt like it had been soaking in the bottom of a public urinal for a week.

S-Works Roubaix & Phat - Highly recommended by many people but you will have to pay a premium to get it from a specialized dealer here in Australia.

Lizard Skins is pretty close to the stuff above

Cinelli Cork with Vibrasorb (What I'm using now). Cinelli has been making tape for ages and this their dampening stuff. I'm using it with cinelli gel pads in the drops.

Microtex with Gel pads - Microtex feels great but it's far too thin for those that needs dampening, especially on Alu. The gel pads don't help much but are re-usable

Easton Cork - Unbelievably cheap, great value. $10 will give you a box and it's durable.

Ritchey Bar Tape - Nice cork stuff, not as good as easton but still quite affordable and decent.

Deda - Cheap but not durable

I can't comment on stuff like 3T. Have not used Brooks. I personally don't like the feel of cork but I use gloves so it's not as much of a problem. There's a reason it's used across the range. The soft touch stuff isn't worth the premium IMO. It's bartape. It's going to get dirty and it's going to wear out. There's no reason to fork out $35.00 for it.

I don't mean to hijajck this topic but also want to refrain from raising another thread, can someone please advise what ( best way) to keep the bar tape clean.Also in the event that it gets dirty- which it always does.How does one clean it?

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